Serigne Saliou Mbacké

spiritual leader

Died:December 28, 2007
(Dakar, Senegal)

Best Known as:Islamic spiritual leader of Senegal's muslims

Mbacké was the Islamic spiritual leader of Senegal’s muslims. The
president of Senegal ordered a three-day mourning period after his death.
Mbacké led the Mouride Islamic Sect, which was founded by his father in
1883 and the most powerful Muslim organization in Senegal. He was buried
in the holy city of Touba, 125 miles east of Dakar, and hundreds of
thousands had visited his grave within two days of his death. His father
also founded the city of Touba, which Mbacké later transformed from a
rural outpost to a major city of over one million people with a large
university and mosque. Inside the city limits visitors cannot drink,
smoke, or dance. Many members of his sect became wealthy through his
investments in agriculture.